Xavier coach Dannton Jackson sets a school record for career victories with a 71-66 win over Spring Hill

Dannton Jackson set a Xavier University of Louisiana men's basketball record for career victories when the Gold Rush won 71-66 at Spring Hill on Tuesday. Jackson, in his 11th season as head coach, is 235-101.

His predecessor, Dale Valdery (234-136 from 1990-2002), held the previous mark. Jackson tied Valdery's record Saturday.

"It's special and very humbling to break the record at my alma mater," said Jackson, who has led Xavier to four Gulf Coast Athletic Conference championships, seven NAIA Division I National Championship appearances and eight 20-win seasons. "Coach Valdery introduced me to coaching. I've been blessed to have some unbelievable guys play for me and to be able to coach at a special place."

Robert Gipson scored 21 points and Alex Looney 10 for the Badgers (0-10).

The teams were tied at 33 at halftime. Wright and Rogers made 3-pointers in the first 66 seconds of the second half to give Xavier a 39-33 lead and put the Rush ahead to stay.

Xavier built its lead to 11 points in the final seven minutes and made 11 free throws in the final 1:44.

The Gold Rush committed a season-low 11 turnovers and outshot the Badgers 44.2 to 39.6 percent from the floor. In the second half Xavier outshot Spring Hill 52.6 to 32.1 percent.

"I was happy with the way we played in the second half," Jackson said. "We did a good job defensively. We cut down on our turnovers, which always gives you a chance to win on the road."

Jackson said his players were not aware of the record he broke, and there was no postgame Gatorade bath. "Not gonna happen," the coach said emphatically.

Jackson, 43, played for the Rush, holds two XU degrees and served as men's and women's cross country coach and an assistant coach in men's and women's basketball before succeeding Valdery in 2002. He is in his second stint as interim athletics director. Both his parents were XU graduates.

The victory was the fourth in a row for Xavier, which will stay on the road and play NAIA No. 17 Faulkner at 6 p.m. Thursday in Montgomery, Ala. It will be the final Gold Rush game before Christmas.

"This is a journey," Jackson said. "I'm not interested in our record. We have a young team . . . I'm more interested in us growing as a group."